ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Women and Child Development
Two-Day Visit Of Union WCD Minister To Jammu and Kashmir Concludes
The Minister Inaugurated Sports Stadium at Magam and Interacted With The Local Players
Smt Irani Visited Craft Village Kanihama And Interacted With The Artisans And Self Help Groups From NRLM
As a part of the Union Government’s J&K outreach initiative, the Union Minister for Women and Child Development Smt. Smriti Zubin Irani on her concluding day of visit to Budgam maintained that the objective of centre’s outreach to UT of J&K has been initiated to know about the grievances of the people at the ground level. She assured that demands and grievances projected would be put up with the Centre as well as with the local government of UT of J&K for early redressal.
The Minister inaugurated sports stadium Magam constructed and developed on the latest patterns by J&K sports council. The Minister at the stadium witnessed a live football match and interacted with the players of the local clubs.
Smt. Irani also visited the Horticulture High density orchard and fruit & vegetable preservation unit at Malpora Magam. On the occasion while interacting with the farmers she said that Kashmir has a huge potential to become the 2nd largest producer of high quality apples in the world. “There is a need for diversification in fruit production for introduction at global level. Kashmir is fortunate to have a conducive climate and fertile land for high yield cultivation of horticulture produce,’ she added.
The Minister directed concerned horticulture authorities to organize awareness camps in the area to involve more and more progressive farmers towards high diversity plantation. She assured that the Government will envisage all necessary support, technical guidance, sponsorship through banks to the farmers and Farm Producing Organizations  willing to adopt high density plantation.
Earlier on her visit, the Minister inaugurated Anaemia Camp at Govt. Degree College Magam and also visited craft village Kanihama. The Minister interacted with local artisans and Self Help Groups from NRLM.
Speaking on the occasion Smt. Irani said, “I was enthusiastic to see the skills, dedication and patience these highly skilled artisans showcased while weaving their high cost Kani Shawl and other products”. During her interaction, she assured concerned artisans and other producers that the Government is keen to introduce this product internationally so that it has worldwide market availability.
The Union Minister Smt Smriti Zubin Irani also met DGP Shri Dilbag Singh and other senior police officers of UT of Jammu and Kashmir in Srinagar.
During her visit to Magam the Minister also witnessed the presentations of cultural programmes performed by renowned cultural artists organized by the Department of Social Welfare and District Information Centre Budgam.
PIB Headquarters
Gold worth Rs. 31 lakhs seized by Customs At Chennai Airport
On Monday one Mohamed Himas, 28, hailing from Srilanka arrived from Colombo by Srilankan Airlines Flight No. UL125 was intercepted exit . On persistent questioning admitted to have concealed 3 bundles of gold in rubbery material in his rectum. The same were recovered and on extraction 510 grams of gold valued at Rs.19.8 lakhs was recovered and the same seized under Customs Act 1962.
In another case today one Ayisha Sidhika, 32, hailing from Dindigul, who had arrived from Sharjah by Air India Flight No. AI-968, was intercepted at the exit. On her personal search, one packet containing gold in rubbery material was found concealed inside sanitary napkin. The same was recovered and on extraction 291 grams of gold valued at Rs. 11.3 lakhs was seized under Customs Act.
Further investigation is in progress according to a press release issued by the Commissioner of Customs, Anna International Airport.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
Two new Zoos one each in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh granted recognition by Central government
Vision Plan for upgradation of 15 select Zoos to global standards; an investors summit to bring in corporate sector investment towards modernization next year: Shri Prakash Javadekar
At the 37th General Body meeting of Central Zoo Authority chaired by Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Prakash Javadekar two new zoos the Rajgir Zoo Safari in Nalanda, Bihar and Shaheed Ashfaque Ullah Khan Prani Udyaan in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh were granted recognition.
The Environment Minister also applauded the good progress in developing a 10-year Vision Plan for the up-gradation of 15 select zoos in the country to global standards which is hoped to ‘twin’ top Indian and foreign zoos and also bring in the corporate sector to invest in modernization as part of this project. The Minister also said that early next year an investors summit will also happen to take this agenda forward.
Rajgir Zoo Safari, Nalanda, Bihar
Rajgir Zoo Safari, in the eastern state of Bihar was granted recognition during the General Body meeting of the Central Zoo Authority on December 07, 2020. The zoo is established exclusively comprising on only safari enclosures which, on contrary to conventional enclosure, offer larger space for captive animals. There are five safari enclosures and a walk-in proposed in the zoo. The zoo proposes to house Lion, Bear, Tiger, Leopard and a mixed safari of common herbivore species such as Spotted Deer, Sambar among others. The zoo is located close to the historically important Nalanda and is expected to have a high footfall. The establishment of the zoo was personally monitored by the Chief Minister of the state. The zoo will display wild animals in naturalistic safari enclosures and promote awareness of towards wildlife conservation.
Shaheed Ashfaque Ullah Khan Prani Udyaan, Gorakhpur, U.P.
Shaheed Ashfaque Ullah Khan Prani Udyaan, Gorakhpur, U.P Bihar was granted recognition during the General Body meeting of the Central Zoo Authority on December 07, 2020. With this, the state of Uttar Pradesh has a total of 9 zoos. The establishment of the zoo is personally monitoring by the Chief Minister of the state. The zoo is situated in the spiritual land of Gorakhpur and has a high visitation. The zoo features enclosures for a range of birds, herbivores and carnivores. The zoo aims to create awareness through naturalistic enclosures and create long-lasting visitor experience through state-of-the-art visitor facilities like 4D Theatre, battery-operated train and accessibility to Divyangjan.
Ministry of Jal Shakti
Money spent on construction of toilets
Under Swachh Bharat Mission  [SBM ] consolidated funds allocation is made for all the components. The details of Centre share funds allocated for SBM  from 2016-17 to 2019-20 are given below:

|
|
Financial Year
|
|
Funds allocated
|
|
2016-17
|
|
10500.00
|
|
2017-18
|
|
16948.27
|
|
2018-19
|
|
23176.23
|
|
2019-20
|
|
11938.22
Under SBM , for normal programme funds, component-wise expenditure is reported by the States in the Audited Statement of Accounts  for both Centre and State shares in a consolidated manner. As per the ASAs furnished by the States/UTs, a total amount of Rs.83,863.91 crore have been utilized for construction of individual household latrines during 2016-17 to 2019-20. Out of this, the Centre share amount comes to about Rs.51,800 crore.
This information was given by the Minister of State for jal shakti, Shri Prahlad Singh Patel in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of Defence
DEFENCE PRODUCTION AND EXPORT PROMOTION POLICY
The Government has taken several policy initiatives in the past few years and brought in reforms to encourage indigenous design, development and manufacture of defence equipment in the country and to minimize the defence import by the Defence Public Sector Undertakings, thereby ensuring delivery of indigenous modern defence hardware to Indian Armed Forces. These initiatives, inter-alia, include, priority to procurement of capital items from domestic sources under Defence Acquisition Procedure -2020; Announcement of 18 major defence platforms for industry led design and developments; Notification of ‘Positive Indigenisation List’ of total 2851 items of Defence Public Sector Undertakings, for which there would be an embargo on the import beyond the timelines indicated against them; Implementation of Public Procurement  Order 2017; Launch of an indigenization portal namely SRIJAN to facilitate indigenisation by Indian Industry including MSMEs; Reforms in Offset policy with thrust on attracting investment and Transfer of Technology for Defence manufacturing by assigning higher multipliers; and Establishment of two Defence Industrial Corridors, one each in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.
A Draft Defence Production and Export Promotion Policy was placed in Public Domain. Various policy measures have been adopted by the Government to ease the approval/certifications for Indian Industries for defence production. Defence Products list requiring Industrial Licenses has been rationalised and manufacture of most of parts or components does not require Industrial License. The initial validity period of the Industrial License granted under the Industries - I Act has been increased from 03 years to 15 years with a provision to further extend it by 03 years on case –to-case basis. A new online portal has been developed for facilitating filing of online applications for Industrial Licence under Industries -IDR Act 1951/Arms Act 1959 with effect from 16.10.2018. Further, Government has also launched a scheme for awarding self-certification status to DPSUs and Private Industry wherein these have been delegated the responsibility of certifying the quality of products.
There are five existing Public Sector Defence production units working in West Bengal, namely Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd., Ordnance Factory Dum Dum, Gun & Shell Factory Cossipore, Metal & Steel Factory Ishapore and Rifle Factory Ishapore. In addition, 8  licenses have been issued by the Government to private companies for manufacture of defence items in West Bengal under I Act, 1951 and Arms Act, 1959 / Arms Rules, 2016.
This information was given by Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Ajay Bhatt in a written reply to Shrimati Sajda Ahmed in Lok Sabha on March 25, 2022.
Ministry of Development of North-East Region
Waves of transformation through Apple Farming in NER – UNDER THE Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region
Apple is one of the most widely consumed fruits in the world. Due to the favourable agro-climatic conditions of the North Eastern Region, low chilling Apple varieties have great potential. In order to tap the opportunity, the North Eastern Region Community Resource Management Society , Shillong, has taken the initiative to introduce and promote apple in the region. The initiative was launched in the year 2018 with the financial support from the North Eastern Council , Ministry of DoNER, Govt. of India.
The initiative received an overwhelming response from the farming community and as well as from the various government and non-government agencies. Based on the success, the North Eastern Council , Ministry of DoNER, Govt. of India continued their support and launched the second phase of the project Promotion of Low Chilling Apple Plantation in NER of India in the year 2020-21.
The NERCRMS, in collaboration with the Ziro Valley Charity Mission Society , Arunachal Pradesh, organised a capacity building programme on the Management of Apple Orchard and Distribution of Organic Fertilizer & Bio-Pesticides in the ZVCMS Office in Lempia, Ziro, Arunachal Pradesh.
Accordingly, 23 beneficiaries were identified from various Community Based Organizations . They were trained on the scientific use of organic fertiliser and pesticides to enhance the quality of their harvest.
Mr. Hibu Dante, Horticulture Development Officer, Ziro, Govt. of Arunachal Pradesh, presided over the training programme as the resource person. Mr. Dante applauded the initiative of NEC, MDoNER, GoI in empowering the farming community of Ziro. He stated that the training has been beneficial for the CBO members in developing their skills and competencies required to start micro-enterprises. He also encouraged the organizers to implement more such projects in the near future. At the end of the programme, the beneficiaries also received necessary supplements for their orchards.
Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Shri. Narendra Modi ji, North East India is witnessing a new era of peace, progress and prosperity. The Ministry of DoNER, led by the Hon’ble Union Cabinet Minister Shri. G. Kishan Reddy, is making determined efforts to empower Kisaan Shakti of NER. Through such initiatives, the waves of transformation is reaching to the farmers and making them economically self-sustainable.
Prime Minister's Office
PM condoles the loss of lives due to road accident in Bareilly, UP
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has expressed deep grief over the loss of lives due to a road accident in Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh.
The Prime Minister's Office tweeted;
"उत्तर प्रदेश के बरेली में हुए सड़क हादसे से अत्यंत दुख हुआ है। इसमें जान गंवाने वालों के परिजनों के प्रति मेरी गहरी संवेदनाएं। ईश्वर शोक की इस घड़ी में उन्हें संबल प्रदान करे: PM"
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
Operationalisation of DGFT ‘COVID-19 Helpdesk' for International Trade related Issues
Department of Commerce, Government of India and Directorate General of Foreign Trade have undertaken to monitor the status of exports and imports, and difficulties being faced by trade stakeholders in view of the surge of COVID-19 cases. DGFT has accordingly operationalised a ‘COVID-19 Helpdesk' to support and seek suitable resolutions to issues arising in respect of International Trade.
This 'COVID-19 Helpdesk' would look into issues relating to Department of Commerce/DGFT, Import and Export Licensing Issues, Customs clearance delays and complexities arising thereon, Import/Export documentation issues, Banking matters etc. Helpdesk would also collect and collate trade related issues concerning other Ministries/Departments/Agencies of Central Government and State Governments and will co-ordinate to seek their support and provide possible resolution.
All stakeholders, particularly the Exporters and Importers, may submit information on the DGFT website and submit information relating to their issues on which support is required using the following steps—
- Navigate to the DGFT Website  Services DGFT Helpdesk Service
- ‘Create New Request’ and select the Category as ‘Covid-19'
- Select the suitable sub-category, enter the other relevant details and submit.
Alternatively, One can send their issues to email id: dgftedi[at]nic[dot]in with the subject header: Covid-19 Helpdesk or call at Toll Free No 1800-111-550
The status of resolutions and feedback may be tracked using the Status tracker under the DGFT Helpdesk Services. Email and SMS would also be sent as and when the status of these tickets are updated.
Ministry of Women and Child Development
Increase in honorarium of anganwadi workers/helpers will improve service delivery under Poshan Abhiyaan: Smt Maneka Sanjay Gandhi
Statement of WCD Minister
I am grateful to the Prime Minister for leading the Poshan Abhiyan from the front. It was actually his idea that unless we convert our efforts to eliminate malnutrition into a Jan Andolan, these efforts will have limited success.
Over the last 4 years, we have been putting the pieces of puzzle together so that the fight against malnutrition can be taken up in a mission mode. The first aspect we dealt was the increase of daily cost norms for the beneficiaries of the ICDS Programme. The second was to have a technology based real time monitoring system of the Anganwadi services. These two have been put in place. The third aspect was the identification and elimination of fake beneficiaries which is an ongoing process. We have already eliminated approximately one crore fake beneficiaries from the system. The fourth piece has been announced today by the Hon’ble Prime Minister on the long standing demand of the Anganwadi workers to increase their honorarium. The honorarium of Anganwadi workers and Anganwadi helpers is being increased by 1½ times from the existing amount. The Anganwadi workers will be given Rs. 4500/- instead of Rs. 3000/-, Mini Anganwadi worker will be given Rs.3500/- instead of Rs.2250/- and the Anganwadi helper will be given Rs. 2250/- instead of Rs. 1500/- per month. This will boost their morale and help improve the delivery of services by the frontline workers and will in turn help to achieve the goal of Poshan Abhiyan.
With these steps, we have launched the Poshan Abhiyan and we are taking the message of good, healthy and hygienic nutrition to all the targeted beneficiaries. I am extremely grateful to my colleagues in the Cabinet who have partnered with us in the Poshan Abhiyan. We are bringing a convergence of Government services at the ground level from the Ministries of WCD, Health, Rural Development, Tribal Affairs, HRD, Drinking Water & Sanitation, among others. All these efforts are aimed to convey the message that the health and well-being of the children is the top most priority for the Government.
Ministry of Micro,Small & Medium Enterprises
Data on Employment in MSMEs
As per Udyam registration portal, the number of persons employed in the MSMEs which are incorporated during last 5 years are as follows:
|
|
Year
|
|
Number of persons employed
|
|
2017-18
|
|
7770469
|
|
2018-19
|
|
6010653
|
|
2019-20
|
|
6622941
|
|
2020-21
|
|
11297690
|
|
2021-22
|
|
13118896
As per Udyam registration portal, the number of MSMEs which are incorporated during last 5 years are as follows:
|
|
Year
|
|
Number of MSMEs
|
|
2017-18
|
|
1246027
|
|
2018-19
|
|
1016723
|
|
2019-20
|
|
1103970
|
|
2020-21
|
|
1841253
|
|
2021-22
|
|
2078882
The number of MSMEs which were registered on Udyam Registration Portal and cancelled their Udyam registration are as follows:
|
|
Period
|
|
Number of MSMEs who have cancelled their Udyam Registration
|
|
01.07.2020 to 31.03.2021
|
|
931
|
|
01.04.2021 to 31.03.2022
|
|
24075
|
|
01.04.2022 to 14.12.2022
|
|
30597
This information was given by Minister of State for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Shri Bhanu Pratap Singh Verma in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.
Prime Minister's Office
PM greets Indian Navy on Navy Day
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has greeted the Indian Navy personnel on the occasion of Navy Day.
In a tweet, the Prime Minister said;
"Greetings on Navy Day. We are proud of the exemplary contributions of the Indian navy. Our navy is widely respected for its professionalism and outstanding courage. Our navy personnel have always been at the forefront of mitigating crisis situations like natural disasters."
PIB Headquarters
27th Convocation of Pondicherry University
27th Convocation of Pondicherry University will be held on Monday, the 23rd December 2019 at 12.40 PM at Jawaharlal Nehru Auditorium, Dr. B. R.Ambedkar Administrative Building.
His Excellency the President of India and Visitor of Pondicherry University Shri. Ram Nath Kovind has kindly consented to be the Chief Guest and deliver the Convocation Address.
Dr.KiranBedi, Honourable Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry, Shri V. Narayanasamy, Honourable Chief Minister of Puducherry, Shri. M. O. H. F.Shahjahan, Honourable Revenue Minister, Government of Puducherry, Honourable Shri R.Kamalakannan, Honourable Education Minister, Government of Puducherry, Shri N.Gokulakrishnan, Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha, Puducherry and Shri. Ve.Vaithilingam, Honourable Member of Parliament, LokSabha, Puducherry will be the guests of honour.
Professor Gurmeet Singh, Vice Chancellor, Pondicherry University will preside over the Convocation, according to a press release issued by Dr.B.Chithra, Registrar, Pondicherry University.
Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
Anu Kumar wins first gold medal of Khelo India Games in 1500m; Tamil Nadu wins two gold, Uttarakhand, UP, Kerala and Haryana win one each
Anu Kumar of Uttarakhand grabbed the first gold medal of the Khelo India School Games, as Tamil Nadu won two of the six gold medals on offer on the opening day of the athletics programme of the Games.
While Tamil Nadu athletes took two gold medals, the rest were shared between Uttarakhand, Kerala, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium this morning.
Anu Kumar who trains at the sports college Raipur and is a past 800m silver medallist for India at the World School Games in France, won the 1,500m final comfortably in 4:04.77 seconds. An established middle distance star, Uttarakhand’sAnu, who won the 800m silver in 1:53.59 seconds in France, has in the past run below four minutes and at these Games.
He is aiming for 800m-1,500m double. Anu dominated the race pushing B Mathesh of Tamil Nadu and Sandeep Kumar of Uttar Pradesh to silver and bronze medals.
The girls 1500m saw Kathiriya Shraddha of Gujarat cross the tape first, but following a protest from one of the other teams, she was disqualified as the judges deemed her compatriot in the final lap illegally paced her. The judges awarded the gold to Kerala’s promising C Chanthini, who clocked 4:50.81.
In the field events there were some good performances in the boys Shot Put and triple jump events. Abhishek Singh of Uttar Pradesh won the Shot Put with an excellent throw of 18.73m while Praveen of Tamil Nadu won the triple jump in his sixth attempt with 15.22m.
Abhishek Singh had four successful throws beyond 18 metres with the best of 18.73 in his second last attempt winning him the gold. He had two other good throws of 18.54m on the last attempt and 18.38m in his second shy. KartikayDeswal  bagged the silver with his sole 18 metres plus mark of 18.29.
In boys Triple jump, C Praveen won with 15.22 metres in his sixth jump, while Sachin Gujjar  with 14.46m were second and Akash M Varghese  with 14.27m was placed third.
Haryana girls excelled in the Shot Put with two medals out of three. Pooja won the gold with a best of 13.88m while the bronze went to Rekha with a best effort of 13.20m. Ajenci Susan of Tamil Nadu claimed the Silver with 13.39m. Pooja dominated the event with three of her throws better than silver medallist.
In girls triple jump J Coleshiya was the winner with a best leap of 12.29m, whileSandra Babu  was right behind her in second place at 12.27m and PM Tabitha  was third with a best of 11.95m.
Day 2 of the athletics competition will see nine more medals being decided with three in boys section and four in girls. The boys finals will be in Long Jump , Javelin throw and 200m , while the scheduled girls finals are Pole vault , long jump  , javelin  and 200m .